Linear optic and LED lighting fixture

ABSTRACT

An optical lens and optical lighting system comprising the optical lens, the optical lens comprising a top surface having a plurality of ridges and a bottom surface having a substantially v-shaped indent, wherein at least one of the top and bottom surface comprises a plurality of prisms. The optical lighting system comprises an assembly for receiving the optical lens, the assembly comprising a fixture body for releasably securing the optical lens, one or more LED boards, each comprising one or more LED lights, and a plurality of feet adjacent to the optical lens configured to hold the LED board thereon such that the LED board abuts the optical lens.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is related to and claims the benefit ofpriority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/672,923, filed May17, 2018. The aforementioned patent application is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety for any purpose whatsoever.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an optic lens and lighting system. Morespecifically, the invention relates to an optical lighting systemcomprising an assembly for receiving a lens and designed for providingfor an optimal and precise distribution of light.

Description of the Related Art

Lighting systems are often used to illuminate various indoor areas. Acommon indoor space that uses lighting systems is an office. Generally,office spaces have low ceilings, and are therefore limited to recessedceiling fixtures for illumination. Low ceiling offices rarely useceiling pendant fixtures, given that the low ceiling results in poorlight levels and narrow distribution of light. Thus, there exists a needin the art for an office pendant light fixture, wherein the lightfixture hangs from and close to the ceiling.

In the field of optics, anidolic lighting systems have commonly beenused to provide bright and evenly distributed light in poorly lit areas.Anidolic lighting systems receive exterior light beams from the bottomportion of a lens, then use the lens or a mirror to capture the exteriorlight beams, and redirect them outwardly to produce scattered rays.Originally, anidolic lighting systems captured the natural light fromthe sun and refracted it outwardly to illuminate a room.

In present day, anidolic lighting systems use light emitting diodes(“LEDs”) for light capturing, so that the intensity of the light can becaptured in lenses of a size designed for such indoor lighting systems.LEDs are comprised of solid semiconductor material, which react withparticles of an electric current to produce light. LEDs are directionallight sources, and therefore can only illuminate in a designateddirection. In addition to their limited directional lighting, the lightemitted from the LEDs' primary optic is heavily concentrated, andtherefore the intensity of the output decreases as the distance from thelight source increases. Generally, LEDs are coupled with varioussecondary optics to aid in collimating light, increasing lightdistribution and directionality, and improving uniformity.

One variety of optics frequently coupled with LEDs are total internalreflection (“TIR”) lenses. TIR lenses are made from injection moldedacrylic polymers and are conically shaped. In a TIR lens, light wavesstrike the interface between two forms of media each having differentrefractive indices. The angle at which the light waves strike is toogreat for light to pass through the interface, thus reflecting acollimated and controlled beam from the center of the emitter. Theconical shape of TIR lenses allows them to maintain rotational symmetryand emit the desired intensity of light at a variety of angles. In orderto diffuse the light beams, widen the beam spread, or shape the lightdistribution, TIR lenses are carved with a variety of ripples or ridges.Though TIR optics improve LED light emission, TIR optics could provideinadequate light diffusion, glare, and gradient distribution. Thus,there exists a need in the art for an improved TIR optic lens that iscoupled with LEDs for indoor applications in a manner that adequatelycontrols the light distribution.

The type of lens used in a lighting system determines the type of lightdistribution. Light distribution can be measured using a photometricpolar diagram (“polar plot”). A polar plot conveys whether the flow oflight, or flux, is directed upwards or downwards. The distance from thecenter of the polar plot to one of the points on the outline of thediagram corresponds to a the luminous intensity value, these values aremeasured in “candelas.” Alternatively, polar plots are measured in“candelas per kilolumen.” Generally, the curves on a polar plot areequal regardless of the lighting element used, but the flux can vary.

The present invention is an optic system having a lens that produces animproved moth wing light distribution to provide precise an optimallight distribution for indoor applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is an optical system including a TIR lens and an LEDboard assembly. The optical system of the present disclosure isconfigured to create a wider and more even light distribution using theTIR lens for indoor applications. Preferably, by incorporating into theTIR lens a V-shaped apex and a plurality of ridges and prisms forrefracting light, the present optical system can direct a light sourcein the exact desired direction and intensity.

The optical system of the present disclosure includes a unique,preferably elongated rectangular lens having an apex located proximallyon the top surface of the lens with ridges set at an equal distance fromone another, along the length of the top surface of the lens. The ridgeswork with prisms located on the left and right sides of the lens toreflect the light in an upward and outward direction. On the bottomsurface of the lens is a TIR component configured in a V-shaped indent.The V-shaped indent directs light in an upward direction such that it isreflected by the top surface prisms and ridges. The bottom surface ofthe lens can also have bottom surface prisms which aid to direct certainreflected light upward and only allow a certain percentage or intensityof light to be directed downward.

The optical system of the present disclosure also includes an assemblyconfigured for receiving the lens. The assembly can include a fixturebody located on either side of the lens to secure the lens within theassembly, the fixture body comprising an LED board having a plurality ofLED lights spaced equally along the length thereof, end caps on eitherend of the lens securing all assembly components, and a hanging bridgesitting atop the lens and the fixture body to allow for hanging of theassembly from a ceiling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the lighting systemof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the lighting system seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the optical lens element of thelighting system seen in FIG. 1 showing an exemplary ray trace of lightdistribution;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the optical lens element of thelighting system seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary photometric polar plot depicting lightdistribution from the optical lens of the lighting system seen in FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the lighting systemof the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the lighting system seen in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the optical lens element of thelighting system seen in FIG. 6 showing an exemplary ray trace of lightdistribution;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the optical lens element of thelighting system seen in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is an exemplary photometric polar plot depicting lightdistribution from the optical lens element of the lighting system seenin FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the opticallens element of the present invention showing an exemplary ray trace oflight distribution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an optic lens and lighting system. Apreferred embodiment of the present invention is described herein. Thepresent invention comprises a lens 200 and an assembly 210 for receivinga lens 200. The lens 200 is of a rectangular shape and of a thickness ofpreferably 0.350-0.400 inches. The lens 200 may be fabricated bytechniques such as injection molding, extrusion and the like. Variousfinishing techniques, such as polishing, may be undertaken.

It can be appreciated that the lens 200 is preferably comprised of atranslucent lighting-grade polymer or other translucent orlighting-grade material. As seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, lens 200 consistsof top surface 212 and bottom surface 214, front face 220 and rear face222, and a plurality of sides 216, 218, 225. The top surface 212 may becomprised of gradual slopes 226 on both sides of the apex 228, thegradual slopes 226 forming flat left edge 216 and right edge 218 acrossthe length of the lens 200. The apex 228 of the slopes 226 is locatedproximal to the top surface 212 of the lens 200, the apex 228 runningdown the length of the lens 200. The apex 228 may contain a plurality ofridges 234 down the length of the lens 200, the ridges 234 preferablyspaced equidistant and parallel to one another. The left edge 216 andright edge 218 of the lens 200 may each contain a plurality of topsurface prisms 236 extending across the length of the lens 200 and thewidth of left edge 216 and right edge 218. Preferably, the top surfaceprisms 236 cease as left edge 216 and right edge 218 turn into slopes226 directed upward towards the apex 228 in the center of the topsurface 212. The inside of the lens 200 may have a plurality of slantedlines (not pictured) lacking a radius at any point. The plurality ofridges 234 on the apex 228 and the plurality of top surface prisms 236work together to direct light upward and widen the angle of lightdistribution.

In the illustrated embodiment seen in FIG. 1, lens 200 has a TIRcomponent located on the bottom surface of the lens 200, distal to theapex 228. The TIR component can be concave, forming a V-shaped indent300 which has a height shorter than the total depth of the lens 200.

On bottom surface 214, below left edge 216 and right edge 218,additional bottom surface prisms 302 may be provided. The bottom surfaceprisms 302 extend across the entire length of the lens 200 and the widthof left and right edges 216, 218. In a preferred embodiment, the bottomsurface prisms 302 extend further across the width of the lens 200 thanthe prisms 236 located on the top surface 212, which stop at slopes 226,thereby continuing until the opening of the V-shaped indent 300 of theTIR component. The bottom surface prisms 302 aid in directing the lightupward, such that the light can be reflected by the top surface prisms236 and the ridges 234 on the apex 228.

In such an embodiment LED lights 326, located on both edges of thelength of the lens 216, 218, are positioned as close as possible to thelens 200 and emit light directly into the lens 200, thereby guiding allof the light that is emitted directly into the lens 200. The V-shapedindent 300 on the bottom surface of the lens 200 directs the lightdirectly upward, thereby acting as a TIR component. When the light isemitted from the LED lights 326, the top surface of the lens 200 acts asa mirror, reflecting all the light that comes through. The slope 226 onthe top surface of the lens 212 directs the light straight up withoutany deflection. This feature is of significance, because a straight tipdirects the light outward, as the light would be coming from a plasticmedium to the air. The top surface prisms on the left and right sides236 of the top surface of the lens 212 direct the light upward and outin different directions.

The bottom surface prisms 302 also control the light direction. In afirst embodiment of the present invention seen in FIGS. 1-5, the angleof V-shaped indent 300 of the TIR component, the top surface prisms 236,ridges 234, and bottom surface prisms 302 work together to result in adistribution of light with 85% of light directed upward and 15% of lightdirected downward. These features also limit the amount of light that isdirected downward, thereby making the lens as translucent as possible.

By way of example and as seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, topsurface 212 of the lens 200 preferably has a width of 3.937 inches,extending from the end of left edge 216 to the end of right edge 218.The bottom surface 214 of the lens extending from the outer edge of onefoot 304 to the other foot 304 is 4.274 inches. The thickness of thelens 200, from the bottom surface 214 to the apex 228, is 0.395 inches.Whereas, the thickness of the lens from the bottom surface to the top ofthe flat wings is 0.283 inches. The feet 304 have a thickness of 0.072inches. The dimensions set forth in FIG. 4 and described herein are notintended to be limiting, but rather are exemplary and serve to evidencethe relationship between the different dimensions of the lens of thepresent invention.

As seen in the example set forth in FIG. 5, the first embodiment of thepresent invention produces a photometric polar plot 434 depicting lightdistribution in the shape of a moth wing. It will be appreciated thatthe present invention provides an improvement in the art. The moth winglight distribution projects light outward but is dim in the center, suchthat the light is evenly distributed on both the sides and the center ofthe moth wing. In so doing, the present invention widens and evens thelight distribution.

In a second embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 6-10, lens 500 can beconfigured in a way that it acts as both a direct and indirect lens,such that 55% of light is directed upward and 45% of light is directeddownward. The lens 500 in the second embodiment does not have an apex onthe top surface of the lens as was seen in FIG. 1, but rather lens 500has a TIR component with a V-shaped indent 60 i on the top surface 612of the lens 500 and a V-shaped indent 602 on the bottom surface 614 ofthe lens 500. Thus, ridges 634 in this embodiment are located on eitherside of the top-surface V-shaped indent 601. The top surface prisms 636extend across the length of the lens 500 and the width of the left edge616 and right edge 618. The prisms 636 cease as left edge 616 and rightedge 618 turn into slopes 626.

As seen in the example in FIG. 9, the lens 500 has a top surface 612width of 3.937 inches, extending from the outside of left edge 616 tothe outside of right edge 618. The bottom surface 614 of the lens 500,extending from the edge of one foot 304 to the other foot 304 is 4.274inches. The thickness of the lens 500, from the bottom surface 614 ofthe lens 500 to the top of slopes 626, is 0.366 inches, whereas, thethickness of the lens 500 from the bottom surface 614 to the top of leftand right edges 616, 618 is 0.254 inches. The feet 304 have a thicknessof 0.070 inches. As seen the example seen in FIG. 10, this embodimentproduces a photometric polar plot 534 with a direct and indirect lightdistribution that's appears a moth wing design representing the indirectlight distribution with flat-bottom tear drop representing the directlight distribution. As with the first embodiment, the dimensions setforth in FIGS. 6 and 9, described herein, are not intended to belimiting, but rather are exemplary and serve to evidence therelationship between the different dimensions of the lens of the presentinvention.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, located on the left and right edges 216, 218of the length of the lens 200 are a plurality of feet 304. In theexample of the first embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the feet 304have a first side 306, a second side 307 (not pictured), and anunderside 308 positioned perpendicularly to the first side 306. Theunderside 308 can run partially under the bottom surface 214 of the lens200, and protrude outwardly. The second side of each foot 307 can beaffixed adjacent to the sides 225 of the lens 200 while the first side306 faces an outward direction. As seen in FIGS. 6 and 9, feet 304 donot have first and second sides, but only an underside 308 runningpartially under the bottom surface 614 of the lens 500 and protrudingoutwardly.

In a preferred embodiment, the feet 304 are spaced equidistant from eachother along the length of the lens, and it will be appreciated that thefeet 304 can be positioned such that they do not impact the transparencyof the lens 200 and its ability to reflect light. The feet 304 can alsobe translucent or opaque and can be constructed of an injection molding,preferably an acrylic polymer. The feet 304 can be comprised of the samepolymer as that of the lens 200, and are molded to the lens 200 itself.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the feet 304 fit within a fixture body 310comprising two identical, but flipped, components 315 for receipt of thelens 200, each component 315 consists of an elongated rigid metal parthaving a pocket 316 and cavity 318 for securing the lens 200 and LEDboard 312, respectively. The components 315 of the fixture body 310 canincase both the lengthwise edges 216, 218 of the lens 200 and the LEDboard 312 on either side. The fixture body 310 can be constructed ofrigid metal. In one embodiment, the fixture body 310 is an L-shapeconfiguration, though other geometric configurations are envisioned toobtain the same light distribution and function. The upright portion ofthe fixture body 310 may hold and conceal the LED board 312 and the edgeof the lens 200. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the bottom ofthe “L” runs under the lens 200 and has a cavity 318 adjacent to astopper 320, such that the feet 304 of the lens 200 fit within thecavity 318 of the fixture body 310 and are secured by the stopper 320 ofthe fixture body 310.

Running alongside the cavity 318 within each component 315 of thefixture body 310 is a pocket 316 for receiving an LED board 312. The LEDboard 312 is preferably rectangular or elongated, having a front surface324 and a rear surface 325, configured to be assembled with the lens 200such that a plurality of intermittently staggered led lights 326 thereonfit adjacent to and on top of the lens 200. The lights 326 of the LEDboard 312 are positioned such that the entirety of the light emitted isdirected into the lens 200. Pockets 316 hold the LED board 312, coveringhalf of the board 312, so that the LED lights 326, running along theinside of the LED board 312, are uncovered and sit adjacent to the edges216, 218 of the lens 200. The pocket 316 holds the LED board 312 suchthat the LED lights 326 are as close to the lens 200 as possible,preventing the pixilation of the light emitted and preventing dark spotswithin the light distribution. The LED board 312 may be comprised of arigid metal material and has small protrusions 328 along the lengththereof. The protrusions 328 are located along the front surface 324 ofthe LED board 312 and are preferably designed for receiving left 402 andright 403 hooks of the hanging bridge 400.

The hanging bridge 400 has a flat underside 404 and dome shaped topsurface 406. The flat underside 404 sits above the top surface 212 ofthe lens 200. Extending from the sides of the dome shaped top surface406 are a set of arms 410, 411. Each arm 410, 411 of the hanging bridge400 contains a set of hooks 402, 403 extending outwardly on either sideof the arm 410, 411 which are configured to attach through theprotrusions 328 located on the LED board 312 and thereby fasten thehanging bridge 400 to the LED board 312 and fixture body 310, and securethe arms 410, 411 around the edges 216, 218 of the lens 200. In apreferred embodiment, a cylindrical fixture 412 is affixed to the topsurface 406 of the hanging bridge 400, thereby allowing the optic systemto hang from a ceiling.

Located at the front face 220 and rear face 222 of the lens 200 are endcaps 414, having front 416 and back 418 sides, and left 420 and right422 ends. Each end cap 414 has a set of hooks 424, 425 at the left 420and right 422 ends. The hooks 424, 425 extend outwardly and fasten ontothe fixture body 310, which secures the end caps 414 onto the assembly210 such that the back side 418 of each end cap 414 sits adjacent to thefront face 220 and rear face 222 of the lens 200, respectively.

The first embodiment of the present invention creates a ray trace 430,as seen in FIG. 3, having a wide even distribution of light where 85% ofthe light emitted is directed upward, and 15% of the light is directeddownward. The second embodiment of the present invention creates a raytrace 530, as seen in FIG. 8, having a wide even distribution of lightwhere 55% of the light emitted is directed upward, and 45% of the lightis directed downward.

A third embodiment of the present invention is seen in FIG. 1i , whereinthe optical lens 200 as seen in FIG. 1 is cut in half. In thisembodiment, a similar light source to that of FIG. 1 can be used, butcan provide a wall fixture with wide, shallow light distribution in onedirection, and would be exemplified by a half-moth wing distribution onthe polar plot.

It is noted that wherever distinctions are not drawn between theembodiments, any reference to a component in the first embodiment ofFIGS. 1-5 can also be utilized and found in the second embodiment ofFIGS. 6-10 and the third embodiment of FIG. 11.

Embodiments of the optic disclosed herein may be useful in a variety oflinear lighting systems and similar embodiments thereof (such as shapedor curved systems) where one linear array of LED elements effectivelyflanks a second linear array of LED elements. It will be appreciatedthat the optic provides a design for controlling and directing light inan upward direction, and widening and evening angle distribution, whilemaintaining translucency of the lens.

The optic may be particularly useful in linear extensions of thelighting system. The lighting system may be fabricated by selecting anappropriately sized optic and installing the optic into a lightingfixture. The optic may be installed in an existing lighting fixture as aretrofit of the fixture. Measurements, geometries, proportions and otherphysical aspects as shown in the drawings are illustrative and notlimiting of the teachings herein.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications will be appreciated by those skilled in theart to adapt a particular instrument, situation or material to theteachings of the invention without departing from the essential scopethereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated forcarrying out this invention, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. An optical lighting system comprising: an opticallens, comprising a top surface having a plurality of ridges and a bottomsurface comprising a substantially v-shaped indent, wherein at least oneof the top and bottom surface comprises a plurality of prisms; and anassembly for receiving the optical lens, wherein the assembly comprises:a fixture body for releasably securing the optical lens; one or more LEDboards, each comprising one or more LED lights; and a plurality of feetadjacent to the optical lens configured to hold the LED board thereonsuch that the LED board abuts the edge of the optical lens; and whereinthe plurality of ridges and the plurality of prisms are configured todirect light from the one or more LED lights in both an upward anddownward distribution simultaneously.
 2. The optical lighting systemaccordingly to claim 1, wherein the optical lens is a TIR lens.
 3. Theoptical lighting system accordingly to claim 1, wherein the optical lenscomprises a light distribution of 55% up and 45% down.
 4. The opticallighting system accordingly to claim 1, wherein the optical lenscomprises a light distribution of 85% up and 15% down.
 5. The opticallighting system according to claim 1, wherein the optical lens is anelongated rectangular shape.
 6. The optical lighting system according toclaim 1, wherein the top surface of the optical lens comprises: an apexin the center thereof; and gradual slopes forming flat edges on eitherside of the apex; wherein the plurality of ridges are located along theapex; and wherein the plurality of prisms are located on the flat edges.7. The optical lighting system according to claim 1, wherein theplurality of feet are positioned along the optical lens such that thefeet do not impact the transparency of the lens the light distributiontherefrom.
 8. The optical lighting system according to claim 1, whereinthe fixture body comprises one or more elongated parts, each of saidelongated parts comprising a pocket for receiving the optical lens and acavity for receiving one of one or more LED boards.
 9. The opticallighting system according to claim 8, wherein the one or more elongatedparts comprise rigid metal material.
 10. The optical lighting systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the one or more LED boards are configuredto releasably secure to a hanging bridge.
 11. The optical lightingsystem according to claim 10, wherein the hanging bridge furthercomprises: a flat underside and dome shaped top surface; and a fixturefor securing the hanging bridge to a ceiling.
 12. The optical lightingsystem according to claim 1, wherein the fixture body comprises one ormore end caps for securing the optical lens within the fixture body. 13.An optical lens, comprising: a top surface, a bottom surface, and aplurality of side surfaces; the top surface comprising a plurality ofridges; and the bottom surface comprising a substantially v-shapedindent; wherein at least one of the top and bottom surface comprises aplurality of prisms; wherein the plurality of ridges and the pluralityof prisms are configured to direct light from one or more external LEDlights in both an upward and downward distribution simultaneously. 14.The optical lens accordingly to claim 13, wherein the optical lens is aTIR lens.
 15. The optical lens accordingly to claim 13, wherein theoptical lens comprises a light distribution of 55% up and 45% down. 16.The optical lens accordingly to claim 13, wherein the optical lenscomprises a light distribution of 85% up and 15% down.
 17. The opticallens accordingly to claim 13, wherein the optical lens is an elongatedrectangular shape.
 18. The optical lens accordingly to claim 13, whereinthe top surface of the optical lens comprises: an apex in the centerthereof; and gradual slopes forming flat edges on either side of theapex; wherein the plurality of ridges are located along the apex; andwherein the plurality of prisms are located on the flat edges.
 19. Theoptical lens accordingly to claim 13, wherein a plurality of feet arepositioned along the optical lens such that the feet do not impact thetransparency of the lens the light distribution therefrom.